EU Regulators Seek Input on Bing & iMessage Compliance with New Tech Rules

EU antitrust regulators are seeking opinions from both Microsoft’s users and competitors regarding whether Bing should adhere to new stringent tech regulations. A similar inquiry is being conducted concerning Apple’s iMessage, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

In September, the European Commission initiated investigations to determine whether Microsoft’s Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising, along with Apple’s iMessage, should be subject to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as reported by Reuters. These investigations were prompted by disagreements between the companies and the EU competition regulator, which had classified these services as core platform services under the DMA.

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The DMA imposes certain obligations on major tech companies, including Microsoft, Apple, Google (Alphabet), Amazon, Meta Platforms, and ByteDance. These obligations include allowing third-party apps or app stores on their platforms and making it simpler for users to switch from default apps to competitors’ offerings.

Recently, the Commission distributed questionnaires to gather feedback from rivals and users. These surveys aim to gauge the importance of Microsoft’s three services and Apple’s iMessage when compared to similar services. Additionally, the EU watchdog seeks input on whether there are any unique aspects of these services relied upon by business users and how they integrate into the overall ecosystems of the respective companies.

Source: Reuters